Faculty-LBST 110

About the Liberal Studies Program

Welcome to the Liberal Studies Program at Sacramento State University! The Liberal Studies Program is designed to prepare students to satisfy the subject matter competency requirement set forth by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for the California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Liberal Studies is an interdisciplinary major designed primarily for students who intend to become elementary school teachers or teach in a multiple subject environment. Our current program is one of the approved subject matter programs for the Multiple Subject Credential under the California credential law (the Ryan Act). Beginning January 2004, the program will address S.B. 2042 standards.

The Liberal Studies major is a complex program; transfer students and freshman are required to attend the specialized Sacramento State orientation before they arrive and all students maintain continuous contact with an advisor. A Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies requires a minimum of 120 semester units, of which at least 40 must be upper division (at Sac State, upper division courses are numbered 100 -199 and lower division are numbered 1-99. All courses from community colleges are lower division, regardless of the course number. A maximum of 70 community college semester units may apply to the total of 120) . The current Liberal Studies major consists of a CORE of 81-98 semester units and a CONCENTRATION of 12 units (it is currently possible for the concentration to satisfy the requirements for a SUPPLEMENTARY AUTHORIZATION, which enables one to teach grades 6 -9 in the public school. Check with your advisor to help you plan for this change).

In addition to the major requirements, there are University Graduation requirements which must also be completed. All courses for the Liberal Studies major must be completed with a grade of C- or better and a GPA of at least a 2.0 must be earned in the Liberal Studies major to graduate.

The advisors in the Liberal Studies Program are professors/staff from a variety of departments at Sacramento State; they are teachers in the program, are committed to students and diligently work with one another to provide excellent service to our students. The Liberal Studies office is currently located in Lassen Hall 2008 and the advisors are available for appointments most hours of the day, Monday - Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

Once you are a student in the Liberal Studies program, you are required to see an academic advisor once each semester to avoid delays in the completion of the graduation requirements. Advisors are available for information, advice and support. Advising appointments can be made during regular office hours (specific advisor hours differ each semester and are limited in the summer and winter break). Current Sac State students who are enrolled in classes (before 5 pm) are asked to come to the office to make an appointment (if you attend classes only in the evening please call our office and we will be happy to schedule your appointment). A three ring binder with each of the advisors' hours is kept at the front desk and students are asked to make their own appointments.

Prior to each semester an orientation is provided to students who have applied to the University. Orientation takes place in the summer for fall semester applicants and in November for spring semester applicants. Orientation is an all-day program for transfer students and a two-day program for freshman students. Presentations by advisors will cover the specifics of the curricular requirements of the Liberal Studies major, explanations about academic requirements and registration procedures. You will also be provided with a campus tour, a transcript evaluation (for transfer students), lunch and a brief introduction into Sac State's Multiple Subjects Teaching Credentials Program. Orientation is structured to help students make a successful transition to Sac State. Opportunities are available throughout the day to have all of your questions answered. Further information can be obtained from the Orientation office at (916)278-7841. You are required to attend the Liberal Studies orientation program where you will get a headstart on your program and life at Sacramento State!

We look forward to your enrollment at Sac State. If you have any further questions, please call us at (916)278-6342.